The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-01-13
THE NEW CAPITOL.

After the work ON this building had progressed
to the completion of the basement story and the
watei-table, the contractor stated to the capitol
board that he could not procure the limestone re-
Quired by the contract for the building, and pro-
posed to change to Indiana limestone. This prop.
osition was the subject of much discussion, and
finally majority Of the board voted to accept the
Indiana limestone.
The law gave the governor n behalf of the state
and to the contractor the innate authority to
make changes in the original contract, and while
had very great respect for the views and opinions
of those voting to accept the Indiana limestone,
consider 1t my duty to the people of Texas to re-
fuse that stone and to insist that II any change
was made it sh0lld be to Texas granite. This
did, and the results are to be seen in the grand
structure now towering upwards on Capitol hill.
II will require considerable money to put the
grounds In order and to furnish the new capitol,
| have assurances that the building will he COM
pleted and ready for occupancy by the time the
twenty fret legislature meets. l call your atten-
ton to this matter that you say take such action
in the case as you in your wisdom see fit. In the
meantime 1t is proper to ssy that for durability
and completeness the edinee, so far as 1t has gone,
Ia unsurpassed, and posterity will have no reason
to be ashamed OF the work
The granite for this building Is gift to the state
from Nessrs. Westfall, Lacy and Norton, the
owners OF the quar- ries. 1 herewith transmit copy
Of the last report OF the capitol commissioners to
which invite q careful perusal.
There has been some CrluCisms INDUCED In by
persons In various parts of he state of the man
mer in which the board has conducted this enter
prise, and | suggest the appointment OF conf
,mitt-e whose duty 1t shall be to make thorough
investigation into the manner of constr citing the
building and everything connected with 1t 80 that
the people may be advised through their chosen
representatives
THE GOVERNORS MANSION.
This building furniture and grounds, are old and
deapidated requiring constant repairs and atten-
ton. In 1883 the legislature appropriated $500
towards repairs This sum WAS expended under
the direction and supervision OF Captain McLaurin
one of the present capitol commissioners In ad-
dition to that sum, nearly so of the contingent
fund was used for the same purpose. The house
was plastered, cemented and painted, 30 that water
does not penetrate the walls, and good sewerage
has been oinp.etd to and connected with the main
state sewer leading to the river The roof wac
also repaired, some new furniture was placed in
the building, but STILL by of It's age and de-
cayed condition, the mansion needs cans ant reno
waiting, and means should be provided to that
emo.
EDUCATION,
Steady and valuable improvements are going on
in our free school SYSTEM In 1882 we expended
Sliu3,425 for free schools. END in 1856 the amount
expended reached the sun of $685., 296 b. This
is exclusive of the University, the gricuural and
Mechanical college, and the two normal schools.
OF course the system is not yet perfect, and 1t
never will be until some of the critics are charged
with formulating system.
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
This institution is in it's infancy, but on q per-
manent basis. The faculty is an excellent one, and
we look forward to the near approach of the time
when our people will educate their children at
home and the children of Texas will crowd the
walls of the University of Texas.
l trust that way may be found of enabling the
regents to speedily complete the building and to
put into operation the medical department In this
connection cali the attention of the legislature
to the claim against the state for money used at
the Prairie View normal school in 1879, amount
ing to Sl2,495 10. This amount should be re-
funded to the university.
l invite at ention TO the report of the board Of
regents, copy of which herewith transmit:
TINE NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The Sam Houston Normal institute was never in
such an excellent state of efficiency as now, and
under the able supervision of its board OF mana
gers and Prof, Baldwin, il ranks among the very
first schools of its claes he state is being rapidly
furnished with we'll trained young men and women
from this institution, and am gratifled to know
that in nearly every instance they are fulfilling
their obligations to the commonwealth by teaching
the length of time stipulated entering the insti
tute.
The Prairie View Normal is also doing we'll, and
although the pleasing results visible at the sam
Houston are not here demonstrated in the same
ratio, still 1t Ia escting great good in the education
of the colored people of Texas, and gives promise
of permanent benefit.
REVISION OF THE LAWS
The constitution art 3, Sec 43) requires the
legislature to provide for q revision of the laws
every ten years The code of laws we now have
and the prescribed period having now elapsed 1t is
proper for the Legislature to make like provision.
PUBLIC HIGHWAYS.
There Is no doubt that the present "T0ad law" ia
very defective, and, as a burden of government,
very unequal in It's operations. If proper reryi-
sion of our penal laws is had, suggested else
where in this message, and if minor offenees are
made misdemeanors in tead of felonies, and,
further IL the various counties required instead
of beins permitted 10 work the roads with county
on tha trnu 10 nur Ina in
a great measure solved. The law should be 30
framed that those in charge of that class of con
victs should be held to strict account, that the
prisoner does the work he is placed at in a thor
ough manner. II loose system is adopted ii will
prove disastrous to the public and the counties.
FEES TO OFFICERS.
In view of the fact that large number of cases,
in which the state is party, are filed in Travis
county it would seem that the officers of that
county should have some compensation. These
are cases where no provision il made for the pay
ment of fees. Even now conside rabie bill,
amounting to about $40 0, has accrued in this way,
and it is submitted that some provision should be
made to meet such cases.
RAILwAYs.
AT the present time there Is general movement
all over this state to supply the vacant fields with
railway facilities IL is well known to those who
tale the trouble to investigate, who have kept
up with the current history of the state, that have
opposed al subsidies to railway com panies from
in lands or in money. | opposed the amendment
of the constitution in 1873 by which the lands
could be used in that way, and l never believed
that there was any authority in the Legislature to
tax the people for the purpose of Substituting cor
poratons. There is now no money nor authority
TO give money or lands (as there are no aDds) In
such way. But ss the railroads have banished
all other means of travelling and transportation |
and while the absolute property in them belongs to
the stockholders. yet they are the peoples high
ways. Their errors and the abuses they may prac-
tice should be corrected. The states, and not the
national government, can correct such abuses. |
The federal government has no constitutional au |
thority over them. IL whatever wrongs they in |
dulge in towards the people are not corrected the
failure will be LAID at your doors. But railway
should not he crippled or destroyed They should !
be brought to the highest state of efficiency in the
interest of the pubc and this consideration and |
this only, should be the chief aim of legislation |
and the motive that should inspire it.
INSURANCE STATISTICS AND HISTORY.
Much good has been accomplished to the people !
through this department. Its management has !
been thorough, and hope 1t will meet with favor |
at your hands. The thorough management and |
great benefits resulting from this department are
H.. d. ,l,..I l.. It,nr vts.1